Semua Bab Divorcing my billionaire husband, his best friend wants me : Bab 151 - Bab 160

JOANNA. The gentle hum of the AC buzzed in the background as I sank into the couch, my hand resting instinctively on my belly. The doctor’s words still rang sweetly my ears:“Congratulations, Joanna. You’re officially pregnant. The procedure was a success.”It didn’t matter that the egg wasn’t mine biologically. What mattered was that the life growing inside me now felt like a second chance—a fragile, beautiful promise.I.had asked all the right questions. The doctor had advised me to eat well, stay hydrated, avoid stress, and get as much rest as possible. “Eat fruits, anything nourishing… and try to stay off your feet too long,” he’d said.But today? Today myfeet would not stay still.I wanted to do something special for Luther. He had been my anchor, my safe space. After everything—the fear, the separation, the reunion, and now this, we were still standing. Together.He deserves a good meal.He deserves a celebration.With a small smile, I made her way to the kitchen. I slipped

qJOANNA. “And I repeat,” I said slowly, firmly, “the pregnancy is none of your business.”Asher's eyes narrowed, frustration flickering behind his calm facade. “At least I deserve to know, Joanna. You told me you couldn’t have babies. So how exactly did you get pregnant?”I exhaled sharply, my heartbeat rising. “Why are you so obsessed with this? What does it change?”“I’m not obsessed,” he said. “I just— I need to understand.”I could feel the pressure mounting. He kept pushing, staring at my stomach like it betrayed him.“It was an IVF,” I snapped. “Are you okay now? Is your curiosity satisfied?”His expression shifted. “Oh… I’m… sorry about that.”I didn’t respond. I just crossed my arms and looked away.He cleared his throat awkwardly. “So… are you back in New York for good?”I glanced at him briefly. “Obviously.”He chuckled softly, like he was trying to play it casual. “I’m not fully back. Just here for the meantime. Seeing my parents.”I nodded, not saying anything.Silence hu

CATHY The hotel room was dimly lit, shadows dancing across the cream walls as I stood by the window, staring out at the glowing city skyline. I heard the door click behind me. Asher entered, his face unreadable, his energy tense.“Did you invite her?” I asked without turning.He sighed. “Yes, I invited her. It’s up to her to come.”I spun around sharply. “You don’t have to say that. You have to make her come to the launch.”He furrowed his brows. “What’s going on, Cassie? Our target is Luther, right? Not Joanna.”I crossed the room, closing the distance between us in two calm steps. “Yes, our target is Luther. He’s the one who ruined both of us. He’s the reason you lost your company and your so-called perfect wife. And I… I gave up everything because of him. We’re in this together.”Asher’s jaw tensed. “I know. That’s why I’m helping. But Joanna—she was my childhood friend. She was my wife. She made her choices, sure, but she doesn’t deserve to be dragged down in this. I’m not doing

JOANNA The water was warm against my skin, cascading down like a soft, steady rain. I closed my eyes, letting it wash over me, my hands resting against the cool tiles of the shower wall.Then I felt Luther behind me — the gentle drag of his hands as he reached for the sponge and lathered it with soap. His touch was slow, unhurried. He began to scrub my back in soft, careful circles, moving up to my shoulders, then down along my spine.“You’re tense,” he said softly.“Maybe because someone insisted I come shower instead of finish my cooking,” I teased, my voice light.He chuckled, that deep, rich sound echoing through the space. “Oh, so now it’s my fault?”I smiled but didn’t reply. His hand moved lower, still gentle, and I leaned into his touch.“You’re glowing,” he whispered, voice close to my ear. “Carrying our baby like a queen.”Then he leaned in and kissed the nape of my neck, slow and tender, the kind of kiss that made my stomach flutter. I let out a soft breath as his arms sli

JOANNA After my father and I spoke, I wandered back to Luther, who had just finished a quiet conversation with one of the board members. I touched his arm and smiled softly. He turned to me, his eyes warm and steady, the way they always are when I need to feel grounded.Then I saw them—Asher’s parents.They stood a bit apart from everyone else, like they weren’t fully part of the room. Not excluded, but not embraced either. I couldn’t blame anyone. So much had happened. Their silence back then... the way they handled everything that went down, it left a bitter taste. But I was still caught between whether to go over or keep walking. I didn’t want to stir old dust.Then I heard it.“Joanna?”It was Mrs. Clifford Asher’s mother. Her voice hadn’t changed. Still soft, still reserved.I turned. She waved gently, and her husband gave a small nod beside her.I walked over, hesitantly. “Good evening, ma’am. Sir.”“Look at you,” she said. “You’ve grown more beautiful.”My hand instinctively c